Twelve Edo Gov. Candidates Approved by the APC Before the Primaries

In preparation for the party’s primary election on February 17, the All Progressives Congress in Edo State has cleared all 12 candidates for governor.

In the upcoming governorship election in September 2024, the candidates are fighting for the party’s state ticket.Prior to the party’s primary election, the APC declared that twelve candidates will take part in the screening process.

The APC’s national secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, were not present for the oath-taking ceremony on Thursday at 12 p.m. at the party’s Abuja headquarters.

The National Gubernatorial Aspirants Screening Committee of the party, which is led by a seven-member committee chaired by Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, cleared all twelve candidates on Friday night.

Thursday, February 8 through Friday, February 9, 2024, were the dates of the screening process.This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Arugungu in Abuja.

At the party secretariat on Saturday, Arugungu said, all of the candidates who passed will receive Certificates of Screening Clearance.

The cleared candidates are Senator Monday Okpebholo of Edo Central, former deputy governor Lucky Imasuen, member Anamero Dekeri of Etsako Federal Constituency, former APC governorship candidates Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Gideon Ikhine, and former minister of state for national economic planning Clem Agba.

Other cleared individuals include the immediate past chairman of the Edo APC, Col. David Imuse (retd.); former governor of Oserheimen Osunbor; former governor of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere; former Zonal Organising Secretary (South-South), Dr. Blessing Agbohmere; and members Dennis Idahosa and Dr. Ernest Umakhihe representing the Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency, Ovia South/East, and Dr. Ernest Umakhihe.“

All 12 gubernatorial aspirants who physically presented themselves to be screened by the party’s screening committee have been screened and cleared,” the statement stated, referring to the Edo State screening committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

During a two-day period between Thursday, February 8, 2024, and Friday, February 9, 2024, the screening committee screened each of the 12 candidates who purchased the Expression of Interest Forms and Nomination Forms.”

On Saturday, February 10, 2024, at the party’s secretariat, the National Organising Committee will present the Certificate of Screening to each of the 12 aspiring governors.”